Election results

Text of measure

Ballot question

Shall the order, adopted on January 15, 2014, by the San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission, ordering a reorganization affecting the Granada Sanitary District and providing for Reorganization into a Community Services District, adding the service of park and recreation in addition to current services of sanitary sewer collection and treatment and solid waste, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the order, be confirmed?[2]

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Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure G was prepared by the office of the county counsel:[1]

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This ballot measure is to determine if the voters in the Granada Sanitary District support reorganization of the District into a Community Services District in order to add park and recreation services.

A YES vote on this measure is a vote for reorganizing the district into a Community Services District authorized by Government Code Section 61000, which will continue existing sewer and garbage collection services and add parks and recreation service.

A NO vote on this measure is a vote against reorganization of the District into a Community Services District.

A majority of votes cast in favor of the measure is needed to approve the reorganization. If the measure fails to receive a majority of the votes cast, the reorganization will be terminated.

Granada Sanitary District boundaries include the communities of El Granada, Princeton-by-the-Sea, Miramar, northern Half Moon Bay, and rural areas extending eastward based on District boundaries upon formation in 1955. The District's current services of sewage collection, treatment, and disposal district-wide, and garbage and refuse collection, recycling, and disposal in unincorporated territory of the District will not change as a result of the reorganization. The new services of community parks and recreation would be provided in the unincorporated territory of the District and funded with a portion of the property tax the District receives. The territory of the District located in Half Moon Bay, which is already included in City parks and recreation programs, would not be included in the District's parks and recreation service area. Instead the District would pass through property tax for the purpose of parks and recreation for this area to the City of Half Moon Bay.

The Reorganization was approved by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) with several conditions, including executing a contract with the County of San Mateo Parks Department to implement initial parks and recreation facilities and programs. The District's proposed budget for the first five years of operation projects increases in annual sewer charges from $415 in fiscal year 2014-2015 to $485 in Fiscal Year 2018-2019 as a result of shifting property tax to fund parks and recreation service.

LAFCO reviewed the Granada Sanitary District Reorganization application, budget, environmental document, and comments from the public and affected agencies. LAFCO considered and approved the reorganization proposal on January 15, 2014. The protest process that followed the LAFCO approval resulted in protest by one registered voter. Government Code Section 61000 requires an election on the reorganization to create a Community Services District. Registered voters within the current boundaries of the Granada Sanitary District are entitled to vote on the reorganization at the June 3, 2014, election.[2]

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of Measure G:[1]

Matthew B. Clark, president of the GSD Board of Directors

Dan Haggerty, MidCoast Community Council Member

James D. Blanchard, president of MidCoast Park Lands

Fran Pollard, eligible voter

Arguments in favor

Official arguments

The following official arguments were submitted in favor of Measure G:[1]

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Granada Sanitary District residents deserve and need more local playgrounds, parks, and recreational facilities and programs.
According to County studies over the last two decades, such facilities and programs are seriously deficient in the GSD, even though there is strong public support for them (89%). A wider Midcoast recreation district has been discussed but no action resulted. Reorganizing GSD into a Community Services District (CSD) with the addition of parks and recreation authority would most efficiently meet these needs, both in terms of cost and to actually make local parks and recreation a reality before additional decades pass. Multi-function local districts, like a CSD, are the governmental agencies most knowledgeable about and responsive to the residents they serve.

As a sanitary district, GSD cannot discuss or create specific parks and recreation projects that the CSD could undertake. The current GSD board would continue in place as the CSD Board on the regular election cycle and is committed to listening to the community to select projects. A portion of property taxes GSD receives would be allocated to parks and recreation functions, which will protect these funds from appropriation by the State. Even were all property taxes diverted to parks and recreation, GSD sewer rates would remain the lowest on the Coastside. As a CSD, GSD is committed to cooperating with the County, local schools, youth sports organizations, and community groups to provide the recreational opportunities most needed.

Reorganizing GSD into a CSD creates the opportunity for parks and recreation facilities and programs to serve every sector of the community from tot lots to senior programs, dog parks to skate parks, from more public open space to playgrounds and small pocket parks on your block. Parks and recreation facilities will improve our community for everyone. Vote YES![2]